Alexander Pinnock, Alec Stuart charged with practising law while unqualified

A man who appeared for a client in a NSW court when he was not qualified or admitted as a lawyer has been warned he is facing a potential jail term.

Alexander Pinnock - aka Alec Stuart - has been charged with allegedly impersonating a NSW lawyer.

A man who appeared for a client in court when he was not an admitted lawyer and falsified a practising certificate has been warned he is facing a potential jail term.

Alexander Pinnock – also known as Alec Stuart – was charged by the Law Society of NSW with five counts of being an unqualified person advertising they could engage in legal practice and one count of engaging in legal practice when he was not qualified.

The law society had alleged Pinnock advertised himself as a South Australian lawyer and a “partner” at “Sydney Lawyers”, as well as appearing in a matter Coffs Harbour Local Court on May 17, 2022 when he was not qualified.

At Downing Centre Local Court on March 20, Pinnock – representing himself – pleaded guilty to all six charges and asked to be sentenced immediately.

“I’ve requested an expedited sentence, with the considerable stress this is placing me under,” Pinnock told Magistrate Peter Bugden.

Alexander Pinnock.

However, the Law Society of NSW’s solicitor Meshal Althobaiti requested, and was granted, a two week adjournment for the purpose of preparing material and instructing counsel.

“These are very serious matters, one attracts a term of imprisonment,” Mr Althobaiti told the court.

The other allegations to which Pinnock has now pleaded guilty pertain to a Facebook page in which Pinnock allegedly described himself as “partner at Sydney Lawyers”, and an email he sent to the Queensland Law Society with an application to be an associate member in which he stated he was an Australian lawyer.

He was then alleged to have sought a practising certificate from the Queensland Law Society by providing a falsified NSW practising certificate and certificate of fitness.

Pinnock is also alleged to have sought an identification card from the NSW Law Society after making a declaration he held a current NSW practising certificate.

Alexander Pinnock at Coffs Harbour Local Court.

“At all material times, the defendant was not an Australian lawyer within the meaning of (the law) because the defendant has never been admitted to the Australian legal profession in NSW or any other jurisdiction,” the court documents allege.

Pinnock made a statement on LinkedIn before his court appearance saying he had been charged with “unqualified legal practice”.

“I have immediately ceased providing legal advice and legal representation throughout Australia,” Pinnock wrote.

“I direct all of my clients to make contact with your state’s law society or institute without delay and follow their instructions.

“I do however look forward to my opportunity to demonstrate my absolute commitment to the legal interests of my clients and to the legal services profession.”

Pinnock returns to court on April 3.